This Week In Fort Smith History - Sept. 1-7

Sept. 1, 1863 — Union forces under Gen. Frederick Steele take control of Fort Smith during the Civil War.

Sept. 1, 1863 — Union forces under Gen. Frederick Steele take control of Fort Smith during the Civil War.

Sept. 1, 1896 — Judge Isaac Parker’s court closes for the last time.

Sept. 1, 1961 — Declared by Mayor Robert Brooksher to be Grizzly Booster Day, Grizzly boosters stage season-ticket sales and a membership drive. Annual Grizzly red and white scrimmage is played and football players are introduced on local television before the game. The white team wins and 100 new members are signed up.

Sept. 3, 1928 — Colonial Hospital opens on "the cooperative plan." Families can subscribe to the hospital for $2 a month. Benefits include medical and surgical attention as well as room and board.

Sept. 3, 1875 — Judge Isaac Parker holds his first hangings. He executes six men in one day. Daniel Evans is hanged for the murder of Eufala Seabolt, William Whittington for the murder of John Turner, James Moore for the murder of Officer William Spivey, Smoker Mankiller for the murder of William Short, Samuel Fooy for the murder of John Neff, and Edmund Campbell for the murder of Lawson Ross and Ross’ wife.

Sept. 3, 1974 — The Belle Grove neighborhood is established as a historic district by local ordinance.

Sept. 6, 1961 — Fort Smith’s first building permit for a nuclear fallout shelter is issued.

Sept. 7, 1961 — The first Fort Smith Amateur Rodeo is held at Harper Stadium.